Principal Engineer: Protection, Automation & Control

Principal Engineer:
Protection, Automation & Control

Join to apply for the Principal Engineer:
Protection, Automation & Control role at SSEN Transmission

Base

Location:

Perth, Inverness or Aberdeen

Salary: £58,100 - £87,100 + car/car allowance + performance‑related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible first options available

As part of our journey, we’re looking for a Principal Engineer – Protection, Automation & Control (PAC) to join our specialist Network Engineering team. You’ll play a vital role in defining technical policy, influencing industry standards, and supporting the delivery of innovative, future‑ready projects across our high‑voltage transmission network related to PAC.

• Write, review and maintain technical specifications required for all protection and control designs and equipment used on the SSEN Transmission network. Updates will be based upon stakeholder engagement and technology advancement where you will use your excellent communication skills to technically and economically justify the changes made.
• As a Technical Authority and working in conjunction with the Protection & Control Technical Assurance engineer, ensure that all IED types are safe, adequately tested, configured and validated prior to approval for use on the network.
• Assist the Design Authority to verify project proposals are fit for purpose and identify any scope changes required to ensure the network is adequately protected in accordance with legislation, Grid Code and specifications.
• Represent SSEN Transmission at industry body events, standardisation working groups and subject matter conferences to identify technology or opportunities for innovation.
• Provide technical consultancy services across the SSEN Transmission business, encouraging the development of staff and have a willingness to share your specialist expert knowledge.

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or other relevant engineering discipline and you should be a Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution or working towards chartered status.
• Demonstrable experience in development, design and specification of transmission‑level protection and control systems, preferably including the use of IEC
  61850. Be comfortable to technically assess issues and critically assess a range of proposed technical solutions.
• Knowledge and understanding of a range of Protection & Control related International Standards and an understanding of the technical requirements for design, planning, operation and development of the transmission network. Knowledge of relevant legislation would be beneficial.
• Excellent communication skills allowing you to communicate at all levels on a range of technical subjects. This includes the ability to form structured and reasoned justification in your guidance and support to others, along with the ability to write clear and well‑structured technical reports and specifications.
• The ability to prioritise your workload in an organised and methodical manner in order to meet targets and deadlines.

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We’re investing around £10 million a day in home‑grown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. SSEN Transmission owns and operates the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland, ensuring a safe and reliable supply for the communities we serve while upgrading the grid for cleaner energy and net‑zero ambitions.

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships, wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service, interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets or a new bike through the Cycle to Work scheme, and generous family entitlements such as maternity, adoption pay and paternity leave.

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Andy on  / 01738 275370 to discuss how we can support you. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and specially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We’ll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we’ll be taking your application further. If you’re offered a role with SSE, you’ll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.